Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto but still I do own this fic…
So how are you guys out there doing? Well, I hope you're doing fine like me!
Here's the next chapter… The highlight of the whole story…
Sigh It's been four months since the last time I've visited the … It's been too long…I miss reading fics…
Damn… I've been so busy with my studies… I hope you guys understand me for delaying my fics…
Well, who knows the anime 'outlaw star'? That's the anime that I'm watching this past few months… I like the story…
Guys out there who still don't know the anime, watch it… It's so damn nice!
Okay, I'll start my fic now…
Text in Italics: Inner thoughts
Chapter 6: "And So It Begins"
One week passed. Sakura and Neji continued their friendship. They became closer than ever expected. They would always spend time with each other at their favorite spot. Every time they would pass at each other, they would smile and greet each other. Things are getting better each and everyday as it would complicate things that they will never notice that soon enough it will come. For those who are surrounding them thinks that it's good for Sakura because slowly she's beginning to recover and linger with others. But on the contrary on the side of Neji, though he's happy that Sakura's beginning to heal her wounds and that he can spend more time with her, still he's experiencing very hard time on controlling his feelings and hiding it from her. As seconds and minutes pass by, they didn't know they're falling for each other into a deep stage sooner than expected. And as the best things in life are so happy to have, there's still this things that will definitely complicate everything.
Today will not be an ordinary day for Sakura and Neji. Neji decided that he would visit Sasuke's remains at the Sakura Park. He stood there intently looking at the gray stone. It was like destiny is playing its cards on them. Sakura also decided to visit her husband. She came and then she realized that Neji was there… talking. He didn't sense that she came so she decided not to disturb him. It was like her instincts and curiosity that made her hide behind the bushes and listen to him while he's talking. "Don't worry Sasuke, I'm doing what you've asked for. As always, I'll take care of her. I promise you that…" Sakura was shocked from what she saw. Neji was crying and she didn't know why. She decided to approach him and ask him what's wrong but before she could finally approach him she heard him shout.
"Oh Kami-sama! I love her so much but I can't let her know! She still loves Sasuke…" It was like the world stopped revolving and seconds seemed to fade. Sakura couldn't digest what she just heard. Did she hear him right? No. Maybe her imaginations are playing tricks on her. Maybe she could be dreaming. She pinched herself. Ouch. That hurt. It was real. What she just heard is true, nothing but reality. Then he continued, "…But then I'm willing to wait for her no matter how long it will take…" His voice is ragged form crying. Moments passed his tears faded in the air. He looked up to the sky then sighed, "Sasuke… I can never replace you in her heart… I just hope she'll be happy forever… Her happiness is all I want for her…"
Sakura can see the sadness in his silver eyes. It speaks how he really feels and somehow it hurt her. She didn't expect that it would happen. She should have seen it coming but no, it's too late to patch things up. This will lead to some changes that she can't tell if she can ever bear those changes. Neji became a special part in her life in just a short span of time. She's on the verge of crying now, she tried to stop it but then it flowed like waterfalls. She kept on asking herself why did this have to happen. She doesn't like this kind of situation even one bit. She sighed and wiped her tears away. No. She'll just pretend that nothing happened in this sunny day, that she didn't hear anything. She doesn't want to think now. Thinking too much makes her head spin.
She twitched and made a noise. He turned back. She could tell he was shocked to see her there. She plastered a plain smile. "Sakura… how long you've been there?" he asked nervously. "Uhmmm… I just came…" she lied, and then continued, "… So you're here to visit Sasuke?" "Uh… yeah… I just told him not to worry about you…" he said. She approached him and stood beside him. Placed the flowers on the gray stone. She spoke, "Saskue-kun, he's the one I'm telling you every night. He's my new friend and he's nice to me." Ouch. That hurt Neji a lot. 'Yeah… only a friend to her…' he thought. He tried to smile at her. "Thanks again for everything Neji-san." "It's okay… Sakura…" as he turned then faced her. "I want you to know, I'll always be here for you…" he looked into her emerald eyes. Sakura didn't know what she's feeling that time.
She felt her heartbeat thumping just like when Sasuke proposed marriage to her. 'Why do I feel this way when he looks at me like that…?' she wondered. She looked intently to his silver eyes and she could see that it was full of emotions. She had never seen him like this before. They were just three inches apart. Closer, a little bit more closely. Then she realized he was kissing her. And she let him kiss her. Then she felt herself kissing him back. She didn't know why she did that but the kiss felt so real. Felt so light like he was easing all her pain that's been too long kept in her heart. The life she once called she had long time ago is now calling her back and she needed to see and feel those emotions once again with someone. But then everything is wrong. She realized that they were there in front of Sasuke's deathbed. This isn't right at all. She has to stop it before it will get out of hand.
She pulled away and pushed him. "No! We can't do this! It's not right… no… we just can't…" She let her tears fall. "I'm…sorry… Sakura…" Neji looked very hurt. After a few seconds he turned back then with a poof, he's gone. She falls onto her knees and continued to cry. She touched the gray stone and traced the carvings of his husband's name. "I'm sorry… Sasuke…I'm so sorry…" She sobbed then got up and ran away.
Neji didn't know what to do. He walked back and forth around his room. What he just done a while ago? He ruined everything. He'd gone out of control. He punched the wall so hard. He rests his head on it facing down. He cried. "I've ruined everything… Most of all I've hurt her… damn…" then he punched his hand again on the wall, this time more hard with so much anguish. He repeated it five more times till his hand felt sting from pain. It was dripping out of blood. And for the last time then he broke down on his knees. "What am I going to do?! Shit!" He sobbed.
This is the first time he had ever cried over a girl like this. He can't let her go… not ever. He loves her so much. It's like her heart is ripping into pieces. Seconds by seconds, it hurts even more. He blamed himself for ruining it all and for hurting her. Even more, he lost his control in front of Sasuke's remains. He didn't even respect him. But he didn't intend to do it, it just happened. Now he has to accept that after this day, things between them will go differently. He knew Sakura would avoid him forever. There's no way for remedy. Somehow it's okay, at least he had told her what he felt but still, he knew that it's unfair for her because it will just make things harder for her to bear. Much more, she's still not fully recovered and yet here he is adding up to her problems. How he hated himself for doing such thing. He turned to his side and sat up; looked at the moonlight then said, "Kami-sama… tasukete…"
Sakura threw herself on her bed and she let her tears fall. She tried to control her emotions but then she still broke down. She didn't know where this pain came from. It hurts even more when Sasuke died. Maybe she's over now with Sasuke but why is she hurting like this over Neji? She can't understand it all. She wants some answers right now but she just cried even more hard. Neji was just a friend to her. Yes, only a friend. But he was there for her whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. He was there whenever she needed some comfort. He was there whenever she wants some security. Even more, he was there though she doesn't need him. He was always there for her no matter what; from a distance keeping an eye on her. She had to admit it; she had fallen already to him since the time promised her to take care of her.
But no, she can't let it happen. She swore to herself that she wouldn't love again. But it was just her mind that's telling her that. It's her heart that's been dictating her to love again. She rolled over and stared at the velvety night sky over her window. 'No…I can't… I don't want to love again… I-I'm afraid to…' she thought and sobbed. Yes, she's afraid to love again. One painful experience is enough! She can't bear it if ever she would be hurt again with the same situation. She would die. When Sasuke died, she was almost on the verge of suicide but then no matter how hard she would wish that she'd just die, she can't. It's like destiny likes to punish her. It hurts too much for her to accept the fact that no matter how hard she would avoid and hide her feelings for Neji, still it's the truth that her heart is beating for.
She slowly stood up from her bed. She reached the pink vase on her bedside table and threw it on the wall. It shattered into pieces. She was very angry and just wants to die. 'No! I don't want this… Shit! This is too much!' She fell down on her knees and cried again. "I-I'm just too afraid… that if I'll love again… they will just leave me alone… they won't stay and then just give me this so much damn pain… no…" Her voice is ragged and rough. She was hurting so much. It's like tormenting her heart bit by bit. She felt so helpless and weary. She saw their wedding picture; she slowly reached it with her hands that barely have bruises and cuts. She touched Sasuke's on the picture. Her tears dropped on the frame. 'I can't betray you Sasuke…'
When the thought of her loving Neji comes in her mind, she feels like she's betraying Sasuke. She once promised him that he'd be the last man she would ever love. She can't do that to him. She loves him so much. Is it still or not? 'Ugh! I don't know… I don't want to even think about it…I'm tired…' she thought. She felt her eyes so heavy and just want it to close. She sighed. She felt very, very tired. For the last time, she glanced at their wedding picture." Sasuke… I need your help…" she whispered then fainted on the wooden floor of her room. She slept there.
IN HER DREAM
She was in the middle of nowhere. She was alone and she felt so afraid. She ran then darkness filled the space. She screamed for help but no one even answered her call. All she can hear is the echo of her voice. She can't see anything. She felt the cold wind run through her skin and it made her shiver. There she was alone with no one to help her. No Sasuke and no Neji. She cried. Suddenly, she heard something, a melodic tune that has a very good harmony. She closed her eyes and she let the music fill her soul. It made her relax and have her peace of mind and it did comfort her in some way. After a few minutes of peace, she heard someone called her name. "Sakura…"
The call is very soft and smooth. She opened her eyes then she realized the darkness disappeared only to be replaced by a beautiful sunlight. She found herself sitting on a bed of flowers. It smelled so good and very comforting. Then she heard the voice again. "Sakura…" She turned around then to her left and to her right. She found no one, only the tress that's swaying with the wind. 'Who was calling me?' she thought. She sighed and decided not to mind it. Maybe it was just her nervousness that made her hear something that's not really happening. Sakura looked down to pick a flower then something caught her gaze, a pink flower. 'Like the color of the petals of the Sakura Tree', it made her remind the old times that she was with Sasuke. Back then; they would always spend their time under the Sakura Tree. She smiled at the thought. 'How I miss those times with him…' She smiled.
Though it had hurt her to remember those moments, there's this feeling that keeps her smile. She doesn't know why. "Neji…" And again, "Sakura…" She lifted her head, and then she saw them, the both of them. Neji and Sasuke in front oh her smiling at her. "Neji… Sasuke…? What are you doing here?" she asked. They just smiled at her again then turned their backs on her and started to walk away, far away from her. "No…! Wait!" Sakura tried to stand up and run after them but she can't. It's like she's glued on the floor she was sitting on. "Wait…! Don't leave me… Please…" she screamed at them, looking at them while they disappear into the darkness. "Noooo….!" She cried in her scream.
END OF THE DREAM
Immediately, Sakura sat up. She was panting endlessly and sweating all over. "No….no…." she repeatedly said to herself.
TBC…
That's all for chapter 6…
How was it? Well, I told you it's overly dramatic…
Anyways, here comes the last chapter…
What do you think how it will end?
Well, just check it out!
Last chapter: "Chapter 7: "The Gift"
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Domo Arigatou for reading my fic!
This is kaeci signing off…
